02/03/2026
Another fascinating post from Frans Stiene today:💫
Reiki and Sanmitsu – Mind Body Speech
by Frans Stiene.
“‘Karma’ means ‘action’ or more specifically volition action, and refers to that which we do via body, speech and mind, with our minds being the forerunner.” An introduction to Tendai Buddhist Philosophy by Seishin Clark.
Hidden within the system of Reiki, we find the concept of sanmitsu: the three mysteries of mind, body, speech.
Within these teachings speech is also breath and energy.
In the kanji of rei 靈 from Reiki we see three little squares; these squares represent sanmitsu.
And within the Reiki precepts, we see also sanmitsu:
心に 念じ kokoro ni nenji - To keep in mind = Mind
合掌して gassho sh*te - Perform gassho = Body
口に唱へよkuchi ni tonae yo – Chant it aloud with your mouth = Speech.
Mikao Usui practiced on a Tendai Buddhist mountain, Mt Kurama. And within all of these teachings of mind, body, speech, the most important element is mind.
“Purify the three karmas of body, speech, and mind; when mind is pure, the other two are naturally purified.” - Tendai Manual.
Mikao Usui taught a meditation practice joshin kokyu ho, which translates as pure mind with each breath. As the Tendai manual says above, when our mind is pure the other two are naturally purified too. In fact, in a lot of Mikao Usui's teachings, he points out that the mind comes first.
“The mind should be healed first and the body second, so that one can tread the right path of humanity. When the mind is healthy and its path of oneness has been adjusted, then the body will regain its strength itself.” – Mikao Usui, in the booklet Shin-Shin Kaizen Usui Reiki Ryoho Kokai Denju Setsumei.
So first we have to heal the mind. Often we get so distracted by the concept of energy within Mikao Usui's teachings that we forget that the base of energy is the mind, as energy follows the mind. This is why these ancient teachings and Mikao Usui kept pointing to the mind again and again. For example there is no mention of healing the energy within the Reiki precepts; they are all about a state of mind.
“First the mind heals and then the body follows.” - Mikao Usui
One of Mikao Usui's students, Kaji Tomita, also pointed this out in his book, written in 1933:
“This is because the source of reiki, the agent of this therapy, must be sought in the proper heart and mind. The power to treat disease is thus a by product of becoming a better person. The healing of diseases with this therapy is secondary.” - Tomita Kaij, Reiki and the Benevolent Art of Healing.
“Mind is the master; body and speech are its functions.” - Kukai
This is why in these traditional teachings, as in Mikao Usui's teachings, we see that the mind is the master of body and speech.
“The three karmas of body, speech, and mind arise from a single thought.” - Tendai Text: Mohe Zhiguan.
Our mind triggers our body and speech. This is in fact really easy to see. A dead person still has a body but cannot move; why? Because the mind has left the body. This is also why there is no energy flowing through a dead person, because the mind has left the body.
“The three mysteries of body, speech, and mind are originally one. When the mind awakens, body and speech are likewise awakened.” - Kukai.
In essence mind, body, and speech are one, and have to be in harmony. However, mind is still the master.
“Mind is the master; body and speech are its functions.” - Kukai.
This is why Mikao Usui keeps pointing to the mind so often in his teachings, like joshin kokyu ho -pure mind with each breath, the Reiki precepts, and the symbols/mantra hon sha ze sho nen which translates as my original nature is right mind. Again, these do not point to energy at all and yet we get so distracted within the system of Reiki with the flow of energy.
“Of the three doors — body, speech, and mind — mind is the principal. Actions of body and speech arise from the intentions of mind.” - Tsongkhapa.
These teachings are not unique to Japanese spiritual practices but also are widely found in Tibetan teachings and in Taoist teachings.
“Mind is the basis of all actions of body and speech. If the mind is pure, the actions of body and speech are pure.” Mipham Rinpoche.
Again we can see a link to that pure state of mind; like joshin, our essence is already pure.
“As far as actions are concerned there are the three doors of body, speech and mind but body and speech are very much influenced by the mind. The mind is the primary basis; mind dictates or influences one’s physical and verbal actions.” Tibetan teachings from Lamrim.
Of course we can see not just the mind being pointed out within Mikao Usui's teachings but also speech and the body. When we put our hands on ourselves: body. When we chant the Reiki precepts: speech. We can see the concept of sanmitsu clearly pointed out within the whole system of Reiki.
“All the happiness and suffering of beings arise from their own minds. Therefore, tame your mind. Once the mind is tamed, body and speech will naturally be virtuous.” - Patrum Rinpoche.
All these ancient teachings and teachers point out the same again and again. And yet in our modern way of practicing we get so distracted by feeling energy in our hands or body, or even at times by the thought of feeling energy in our hands. In either case, when we get distracted by this it means that our mind is distracted.
“The mind is king, and body and speech are its servants which must do its bidding. - Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
Below we can see a very important teaching from Kukai, a famous Japanese priest.
“Though body and speech may be aligned, without the mind they do not constitute true practice.” – Kukai.
Thus no matter if we chant – speech, or perform hands on healing – body, if our mind is not aligned, in the right state, these practices do not constitute as true practices. And therefore Mikao Usui focused a lot on the mind so that all the other practices can become true practices.
“For the members of our association, please keep this in mind that the more you have a higher virtue in yourself the stronger your spiritual energy becomes.” – Reiki Ryoho no Shiori which is handed out by the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai.
